Path to Starry Pool (MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter Two: The Locket

"Hm? What's this?" Astoria asked in curiosity as she bent down to look at the item Piper was holding."It's this pretty necklace that fell out of your backpack at school! But you left before I could give it to you, so I followed you with my bike, and got lost for awhile. Then I knocked on someone's door, and they said you lived over here. So after school, I peddled her as fast as I could." Piper explained, holding up the locket for Astoria to look at closely. "Plus, I loved it how you told Lola off! She needs to learn some manners!""You know Lola?" Astoria sighed."Of course! She loves to pick on small people, just to make herself cooler. She's a big meanie!" Piper replied in disgust. "Anyways, is it yours?"Astoria shook her head, peering down at the locket. "I don't think so. I don't know how that got into my backpack."Piper nodded in response and held up the locket. Piper squinted her eyes, searching the unique patterns over the lockets surface curiously. In the light, Astoria could see faint lines dusted over with age. Astoria beckoned for Piper to come inside the house, her straight complexion ruined by curiosity."Here, wash it off," Astoria ordered Piper, leading her into the kitchen and turning on the sink."Okay! This thing is so fancy!" Piper giggled as she turned on the water from the sink, the water pouring down softly into the drain.How can she get so much enjoyment out of washing something? Astoria thought to herself as Piper splashed the water with her hands and began rubbing the locket, which was now covered in water and soap. I usually hate washing stuff! Piper started humming to herself and scrubbing water over the locket while Astoria leaned against the counter, waiting for her to finish.

"Well, it's cleaner now," Piper announced and turned off the water, holding up the locket. "I have to go soon. My mom will be worried."

"Wait, wait," Astoria pleaded, grabbing Piper's shoulder as she turned. "Please stay longer. I wanted to see something with this."

"What about it? I was just going to leave it with you," Piper shrugged, turning back to Astoria.

"I wanted to see if there was something inside. It's strange, isn't it, that this locket just happened to be in my backpack for no reason? I'm curious." Astoria explained.

Piper nodded, her eyes bright with curiosity. "Let's do this. But to say, why do you look so tense?"

"I-I'm not tense!" Astoria shot back, biting her bottom lip.

"Then why are you trembl-"  Astoria placed a finger upon Piper's lip before Piper could finish her sentence.

"I'm trembling with excitement!" Astoria lied through gritted teeth and brought her finger back to the locket. "Now let's open it really quick and forget about this."

Piper nodded, placing a finger on the locket as well. 

"Let's open it at the same time. It'll be dramatic, like in a movie!" Piper squeaked, chuckling to herself and quieting, tightening her finger around the small latch. 

Astoria and Piper made eye contact and nodded. They pulled up the latch, but were interrupted by the sound of the front door opening was heard. Astoria snapped it shut, almost smashing Piper's finger, (who yelped in surprise) and shoved it into Piper's hand. Almost a second later, Astoria's mother walked into the kitchen. The color from Astoria's cheeks drained as she eyed Piper accusingly.

"Who's this, Astoria?" She asked sweetly, but her stare said it all.

Astoria gulped deeply. "My... friend."

Astoria mentally slapped herself. How could I have I forgotten about the time? But most importantly, she's half an hour early! Astoria thought, putting her hands behind her back guiltily. She wasn't allowed to bring anyone into the house without permission, but she had obviously broken that rule with Piper. Piper looked around nervously, not catching on to what was happening.

"Mhm. Well, I had no idea you had a friend!" Sidney (Astoria's mother, with a wild personality of mischief) snickered to herself.

"Mom!" Astoria whimpered, her face blazing crimson.

"Just kidding, darling," Sidney giggled into her hand, and walked past Astoria. "Now go ahead. Dinner will be ready in a while!"

"Okay, thanks," Astoria muttered, then grabbed Piper and hissed into her ear. "Come before she changes her mind!"

Piper nodded and followed Astoria up the stairs. Astoria led her through long hallways and up one more staircase, then up to a tall door coated with fresh white paint. Piper's eyes were wide and wild, Astoria glancing over at her and opening her door.

"A-Am I d-dreaming!?" Piper stuttered, gasping deeply and quickly. "Or are y-you really the daughter of t-the REAL S-Sidney B-Beaufort!?"

"Of course," Astoria nodded, leading Piper into her room. "I didn't think you would realize."

"Of course I did!" Piper slammed her hands down on the small table Astoria had led her to with excitement. "She's my favorite actress! I want to be just like her when I grow up!"

"Well, I brought you in here for another reason," Astoria chuckled nervously. "I kinda just wanted to see what the words said on the locket."

"Words?" Piper questioned, taking the locket out of her pocket. "Here, just see if you can read it."

Piper handed the locket to Astoria and sat in the chair next to her. Astoria glanced over at Piper, then back down at the locket closed in her palm. She opened up her hand and held it up close to her face. Squinting her eyes, she could make out the engraved words on the locket's still dusty surface.

"I think it says... realms," Astoria said, still peering at the locket.

"Sounds weird. Now can we go back downstairs and talk to Sidney?" Piper grinned widely.

"Wait, I wanted to open it!" Astoria pouted.

"Oh, okay," Piper sighed over exaggeratingly, leaning back in her chair with a carefree expression.

"Here I go," Astoria said nervously, wiping her rapidly heating face.

Why am I so anxious? It's just a stupid locket! Astoria thought to herself in annoyance. Let's get on with this.

"Ready?" Astoria barely breathed loud enough for Piper to hear.

"Well, get on with it!" Piper said, nudging Astoria's shoulder. "Go on! You aren't hurting anybody!" 

Astoria nodded and un-clipped the latch holding the two pieces together. Inside was a picture of a meadow. When Astoria looked up, she was in that meadow.